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2018 Notice: Pay What You Can

After years of trying to earn my bread and board by offering soulcare, I’ve thrown in the towel. I’m now happily ensconced full-time as a community manager at a coworking space — where I do what my pastoral soul has always done. Hold Space. Listen to Stories. Touch Shoulders.

In light of this life-change, I’ve decided to make all my soulwork a way to raise support for charities I believe in. All goods and services on this site — including my book — are now available by donation.

If you can give a bag of gold… Go for it! Religish has every drop of guidance and lived experience that I could squeeze out — and lord knows these hardworking non-profits need your dough!

If you can give a mite… Thank you. I appreciate your help covering the costs of printing and shipping.

Here’s how it works…

1. Click here to make your donation.
2. Leave your mailing address in the paypal notes, or email me: rachellemeechapman@gmail.com
3. Share this link on your social media and help get the guidebook into the hands that need it!

All profits are re-directed quarterly to one of these smart, empowering non-profits:

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In her essay “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” author Anne Lamott tells a story in which her friends tell her she is Christian in the way that some people are Jew-ish. You know, those lucky secular Jews who get all the cultural goodies—the traditions, and meals, and lighting of candles—with none of the squishing themselves into beliefs that don’t really fit. But, Lamott says, she is not like that. She accepts the whole thing on faith. She’s 100 percent Christian. There is no “ish.”

But what if there were?

But what if there were something in between secularism and the religious institutions of Christianity? What if you could have a saint’s icon next to your little goddess statue? What if you could hum “How Great Thou Art” while in a yoga pose? What if you could have the rituals, and the values, and the passing-on of meaningful traditions without the dogma, and the creed, and getting up on Sunday mornings?

What if you could be relig-ish?

I am.
You can be.
This book will help.

Endorsements

“In this enthusiastic, practical manual for the spiritually inclined, Mee-Chapman, a former ordained Christian minister, aims to help enrich the faith lives of the “spiritual but not religious” by employing a build-your-own-spirituality approach, complete with a “relig-ish tool kit” that contains a ritual-rich scaffolding for one’s spiritual inclinations. Mee-Chapman is a enthusiastic, upbeat guide and all-inclusive: all are welcome in her relig-ish tent, regardless of religious background or spiritual or nonspiritual present. This effort is not unique or new; many writers, such as memoirist Elizabeth Gilbert and the esoteric Meggan Waterson (who, like Mee-Chapman, calls herself a spiritual misfit), have published self-help books for this audience. But as more former believers look for spiritual structure without formal religion, diverse efforts to reach this audience becomes necessary, and Mee-Chapman skillfully fills this niche for younger readers. This slim, accessible volume will appeal to thoughtful, open-hearted, and theology-minded seekers”

— Publisher’s Weekly, July 2016

“So many people have found themselves on the outside of all they once knew related to church and religion and often are treated like misfits, heretics, and backsliders. It can feel lonely and disorienting, with no one to talk to along the way. Rachelle MeeChapman is exactly the right kind of guide on the journey toward spiritual freedom. Her vulnerability, honesty, and wisdom offer hope, challenge, and encouragement for those who have left the confines of organized religion but long for a vibrant, tangible faith. With experiential exercises, powerful stories, and creative ways for readers to connect with their own soul, Relig-ish is a much-needed tool in the ever-changing world of faith.”

— Kathy Escobar, co-pastor of The Refuge, spiritual director, and author of Faith Shift: Finding Your Way Forward When Everything You Believe is Coming Apart

“Several years ago I spoke with Rachelle over the phone because she was doing something I was doing: facilitating an online community for people going through major transitions in their spiritual lives. We are on a similar mission: to walk with those who struggle with organized religion. I respect her courage, her integrity, and her honesty. I believe, as she admits, that she’s ‘a person who is deeply concerned with the state of the soul.’ Let this book feed you.”— David Hayward, nakedpastor.com

“You’re religious, mad, and human! Fortunately for you, this book can fix the first two—the third you’ll have to live with.”— Jim Henderson, author of Jim and Casper Go to Church

“I have been privileged to know Rachelle from the very early days of her remarkable story, carving her way forward with integrity and curiosity through dark times and in times of delight. This book captures that journey and offers so much room for hope. Practical, hard-won wisdom is discovered and imbedded in the sacred ordinary moments and spaces of each day. Rachelle comes as a sage guide and invites us to discover and honor what we value so that we can join the Force that is already on the move.”— Kelly Bean, author of How to Be a Christian Without Going to Church, and co-founder/director, African Road

“Rachelle Mee-Chapman is a spiritual soul sister. Whether you’re dealing with a case of post-traumatic church syndrome or looking for your own tribe, Relig-ish will help guide you along the way.”— Reba Riley, author of Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome

“Reading Relig-ish is like sitting down with a sage friend. Rachelle Mee-Chapman has taken the conversation about being spiritual but not religious to a refreshing new perspective. She helps waywardformerly-churched souls determine how to create spiritual practices that are right-fit and authentic. Relig-ish is for those of us who didn’t really lose our way after we stepped away from institutionalized faith. We just wandered into a great big wilderness full of mystery. Relig-ish is a helpful guide to have for the journey. “— Pam Hogeweide, mixed-media artist, blogger, and author of Unladylike

“Although I don’t subscribe to any one religion, I’ve always felt a deep connection to something greater than myself. And I’m not the only one. I’ve met many other seekers over the years, just like myself, who felt the divine but just didn’t get the feels for organized religion. If you’ve ever felt that way too, then Relig-ish from Rachelle Mee-Chapman is the book you’ve been waiting for. The author shares her own story of leaving the church and defining her spirituality on her terms. She encourages the reader to examine their beliefs, redefine what spirituality means, and find their own individualized path too. With provocative questions, thoughtful practices, and wise advice, Mee-Chapman delivers a powerful book that will help all seekers live a sacred life in a way that is unique to them alone. If you are questioning your path or have already begun a new spiritual journey, Relig-ish might just be the wise guidebook to keep by your side as you move forward.”— Theresa Reed, author of The Tarot Coloring Book

“My work is filled with women seeking ‘community,’ ‘belonging,’ and ‘home’— words that church often filled for many of us, or those who came before us, but that don’t seem to fit anymore. As Rachelle gives voice to those hungers, and so many others that humanity still needs even if we’re not religious, reading this book was deeply comforting and enlightening. Comforting, because she validates and says out loud the thoughts, fears, hopes, and questions that bounce in our hearts and minds; enlightening, because she stretches how we think, shines a light on possible next steps, and grants a permission most of us didn’t even know we have been waiting for.”— Shasta Nelson, founder of GirlFriendCircles.com and author of Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness